After a long forced break, the TCR Europe Touring Car Series season will start next weekend at Circuit Paul Ricard, Le Castellet in the south of France. Driver Tom Coronel provides the Dutch input in the highly regarded touring car competition, because just like last year he will participate in the series with a Honda Civic Type R TCR, used by the renowned Belgian team Boutsen Ginion Racing. The car is finished in the well-known yellow and red livery from partner DHL. “I look forward to being able to race again and to continue the good cooperation with Boutsen Ginion Racing and Honda for many years now” says Coronel.
“I look forward to being able to race again and to continue the good cooperation with Boutsen Ginion Racing and Honda for many years now”
With 24 drivers from eleven countries and cars from five different brands in the field, there is also plenty of variation in the TCR Europe this year. “Close fighting is assured! In addition, there are riders at the start that I have known for years from other series, for example the former WTCC or the WTCR. Pepe Oriola, Mehdi Bennani, John Filippi: all guys that I have been competing against for years and that I now meet again on track”, says Coronel.
Coronel is happy that the forced break came to an end: “Fortunately, I have been able to race ‘in real life’ several times in the past period. Of course, the sim events in the most violent corona period were a great replacement. But for me, nothing beats real racing in a car with four wheels, a racing engine and on a real track against other drivers. Together with the Boutsen Ginion Racing team, I have spent a lot of time in the past period to make sure we are prepared optimal for the upcoming season. We have remained faithful to the Honda Civic Type R TCR, as in WTCR we will run it with number 31. It’s the only car in the team, so full focus is guaranteed.
